Police: Teen had rifle, marijuana at Regency Square Mall bus stop

An 18-year-old Jacksonville man was arrested last week for possession of a short-barreled rifle, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Police were dispatched to Regency Square Mall along the Arlington Expressway about 11:15 a.m. Friday in reference to people smoking illegal drugs on the property.

The suspect, Vandareen Robinson, was seen at a bus stop as one of the people identified by mall security rolling and smoking suspected marijuana, police said.

Police said Robinson freely approached two officers when called. They said he was wearing a yellow backpack.

One officer asked if he had any guns, and Robinson said yes and explained that he had a .22-caliber rifle concealed inside his backpack, according to police.

Officers said Robinson voluntarily handed the backpack to the officer, who discovered a the rifle and 12 rounds. Police said the backpack also contained marijuana drug scales. They said the marijuana was packaged for sale and the scales had residue on them.

Robinson was arrested and interviewed. He told police he had acquired the firearm in a trade in Daytona Beach last month from an unknown person, investigators said. They said he told them he knew having a short-barreled rifle was illegal.

Robinson was charged with possession of a short-barreled rifle, possession of a concealed firearm, armed possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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